It is with great sadness that Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) acknowledges the horrific event last week in Minneapolis, resulting in the brutal death of George Floyd. We offer our sympathies to his family and friends. May Mr. Floyd’s memory be a blessing, and may we as a community heal and learn to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.

Our core values center around Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, one person at a time. We offer counseling and support services to those experiencing crisis or trauma.

JCS stands in solidarity with the Black community and supports accountability and justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Reed, James Scurlock, David McAtee, and countless others whom we have lost through bigotry, violence and ignorance. These unjust deaths across the nation serve as painful reminders of inequality.

In this emotionally charged environment, we must lean on each other and provide the same empathy and support that we offer the people we serve each day. We are dedicated to healing, and serving our community’s needs and will continue to provide our clients with a single standard of high-quality care, as well as hope and confidence to create safe spaces, healing work, and positive change.

This is a time in our country’s history where we, as social service providers, and members of our diverse community must examine our social contract and increase our efforts to respect all people by providing worthy and inspiring opportunities for healing and respect as we emerge from this isolating pandemic.

Over the last 100 years, JCS has provided a compassionate and caring safety net of services for the frail and underserved treating every client equally without regard to – race, religion, age, or identity. We remain strong in our desire to keep the spirit of the members of our community alive and to speak as truthfully and meaningfully as possible to our ever changing world.

Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) Continues to Serve the Community During Coronavirus Outbreak

Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) Continues to Serve the Community During Coronavirus Outbreak

During this unprecedented time, JCS remains open, providing food, counseling, crisis response and information, and referral services. For assistance, please call 2-1-1 or 305-576-6550. As one of the leading human services providers in Miami-Dade County, your JCS is working around the clock to support you during this time of need.

As we adjust to this new reality, JCS adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In addition, we have implemented remote work practices where feasible.

The JCS Kosher Food Bank (Food Bank) continues to operate. Loss of employment and school closures have led to an increase in food insecurity; therefore, rather than appointments, clients can now pick up boxed groceries at scheduled appointment times.

All five congregate meal sites have been closed, but will be providing meals to clients via home delivery.

We are delivering meals, groceries, and/or other supplies to frail clients who are homebound and/ or self isolated. Limited grocery shopper services are available for senior, frail clients that are homebound and/or are self-isolating in order to avert exposure to the virus.

Home Health Aides provided by the Masada Program continue to care for our clients in the Holocaust Services Program with utmost care and unique precautions. Home Health Aide services are also available for private pay clients requiring services.

We are limiting transportation of our senior clients that receive home health care services to essential medical and therapy appointments with specific limits on all other outings.

Home Health Care

JCS’ Masada program continues to provide home health care services to hundreds of frail senior clients, including many Holocaust Survivors. Our homecare and housekeeper program workers are specially trained in all health and safety procedures.

JCS has implemented a three-tiered program of care to closely monitor our high-risk elderly clients.

Behavioral Health Counseling Services

Behavioral Health Counseling staff in all programs are making phone call “check-ins” with their clients. JCS staff will be implementing a pilot Tele-Mental Health Program in April.

The 2-1-1 help line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all languages. The Access Program phone line is available for intake for counseling services, domestic violence and food sufficiency support for clients who observe Kashrut.

Clinical counseling continues to be offered by phone or in-person at three locations (South Dade, North Dade and Miami Beach), to answer questions and provide behavioral health services for individuals and families.

For 100 years, our values and dedication have served as our foundation. When others in our community retreat, we step forward. This action allows us to fulfill the obligation we made to the thousands of people to help fill their lives with dignity, comfort, compassion, and love. JCS’ planning and operations teams are experienced with adapting to changing conditions and our dedicated staff are focused on keeping our clients safe during this challenging moment.

For over a century, through wars, hurricanes, booms and busts, JCS has been there to help our community transform into an even better and stronger community. And now, as we navigate this crisis, we thank you for your incredible support of our work and mission. Together we will get through this.

Stay strong, healthy and safe.

Miriam Singer

President & CEO

Jewish Community Services

Abe Rudman

Chairman of the Board

Jewish Community Services

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JCS is a Beneficiary Agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Find Out More

Social services for Nazi victims have been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Holocaust Survivor Emergency Assistance Fund.

Tax-Exempt Status

JCS IS A 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION. FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS 59-0637867. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE 800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION #CH833.